Welcome back!

About Us

Eldernet was established in 1997 as a direct result of the founders seeing the need for acomprehensive information service that focussed on issues concerning older people in New Zealand. The internet seemed to be the perfect way to make this information available and so, Eldernet was born.

With this impartial information, older people, their families’ and professionals who work in this sector access to comprehensive information that enables them to make more informed decisions.

Our shared passion for outstanding customer service and the sector in which we all work means that all users of Eldernet are greeted with a smile and ‘can do’ attitude. If you call, fax or e-mail us we trust you’ll always be made to feel welcomed and supported. If we can do anything to improve your Eldernet experience please speak with either Eleanor or Esther; we are always available to listen and improve!

Meet The Team

Eleanor Bodger

Favourite Song: Staying Alive by Bee Gees

Founder and visionary leader of Eldernet, Eleanor is still very much involved in the day to day running of Eldernet. Her background as a Registered Nurse and Social Worker allowed her to see the potential in the idea that became Eldernet. Still brimming with ideas and passion for empowering older people, Eleanor keeps the team inspired to bring their best to the table every day.

Esther Perriam

Favourite Song: The Flower Duet from Lakme

Esther has been working at Eldernet for 10 years now. As the General Manager she is responsible for the smooth running of the workplace and is often the ‘face’ of Eldernet. Having been on board when we were just a team of two, Esther is knowledgeable about most aspects of the business and loves learning new things about the wider older person’s health sector.

Jess Brown

Favourite Song: Old Pine by Ben Howard

Jess is currently on maternity leave. Jess is the one of our team who can help with all your queries about pretty much everything – as part of the Customer Support team she focuses on Sales Support but can also help with vacancy updating and getting copies of the Where From Here handbooks. Jess is a Social Worker who brings a fantastic sense of fun to all she does.

Julie Best

Favourite Song: Happy by Pharrell Williams

Julie is our Operations Manager, helping to coordinate everything that is going on at Eldernet and overseeing the Customer Support team. Her varied background means she has a wealth of skills and experience, including knowing all about Vacancy Updating from the provider side from her days working in residential care. Whatever is going on, we know that Julie will be smiling and ready to help.

Shontelle Mustchin

Business Development Manager

Hannah Wright

Favourite Song: Hot in the City by Billy Idol

Hannah is our Production and Publishing Manager, which does mean she spends most of her time working in our sister business ‘Care Publications’; but when there’s not a handbook on the go, Hannah is working to ensure that all the data we gathered in the process of updating a book is transferred across to the Eldernet site. Hannah has been in the publishing and advertising industry for a number of years, so is well accustomed to the pressure of the busy deadlines that the 'Where from Here' book schedule brings.

Dawn Spencer

Dawn is back! Yes, she retired – but that couldn’t keep her away. Dawn has kindly stepped in to cover the Vacancy Status Updates while Susan's on leave.

Eve Williams

Favourite Song: Off to the Races by Lana Del Rey

As Sales & Production Administration and Support/Social Media Eve’s role is very diverse. Splitting her time equally, she looks after Eldernet’s presence on Social media as well as running the Gazette, assists Sales and also with the production of our “Where from Here” handbook. She can also help with any general enquires you may have. It may sound like a busy time, luckily she thrives under pressure and is always wanting to learn new things.

Demelza Pearey

Favourite Song: Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane

Demelza is the Accountant for Eldernet and Care Publications, looking after everything from invoicing and banking to paying the bills, the team, preparing monthly accounts and preparing and enforcing the dreaded Budget. Demelza has joined Eldernet after a 4-year career break to spend time with her 2 children and is enjoying working again with this passionate, hardworking team.

Johanna Thoms

Favourite Song: Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve

As Distribution/Customer Support, Johanna’s role is to make sure our Where from Here books are getting out to the people who are passionate about distributing them and making sure they are getting into the hands of people who need them. Johanna can also help with Vacancy Updates and general support with Eldernet as well.

Laura Wheeler

Favourite Song: The Voice by John Farnham

As Business Development Manager, Laura’s role is to help expand Eldernet to cover all of the services an older person might need either at home or in an aged care facility. Full of great ideas, Laura brings energy, enthusiasm and a sense of fun to the team.

Matt Currie

Matt is our super programmer – Eldernet just wouldn’t be Eldernet without him. Master of code and all things techie, Matt is responsible for turning our (sometimes dim) ideas, into bright ones and using his skills to keep us ahead of the game. Matt works crazy hours and while you’ll never get a response from him before 10am, you can be assured he’s firing on all cylinders when you email him at midnight!

Neroli Williams

Favourite Song: Paint it Black by The Rolling Stones

Responsible for making us ‘look good’ Neroli is our in-house Graphic Designer. While she spends most of her time working on creating adverts for our print publication she can also be working to help clients with Vacancy Updates on the Eldernet site. Neroli’s skills with a pen and paper, as well as a computer, have resulted in many awesome drawings and cartoons gracing our workplace.

Susan Melling

Favourite Song: Nice to be here by The Moody Blues

Susan is currently on leave. Susan is key player in the Customer Support Team – and what she doesn’t know about the Vacancy Reporting isn’t worth knowing! She can help with most other enquires about request for handbooks or general support using the Eldernet site as well. Susan is a trained teacher and tries (unsuccessfully!) to keep us all in line; we forgive her though, because she’s also the in house baker.

Advisory Board

Alan Edwards

Alan Edwards is based in Auckland and is perhaps best known in the Older Person’s sector as the ex CEO of Metlifecare. He’s also worked for other retirement based businesses and knows the challenges and opportunities they may have ahead of them.
Alan works as a professional advisor, director and speaker; and anyone who has heard him speak will know he is a man with a great back-story and a teller of great yarns (often including sport, or his delightful dogs)!
Alan is excited about helping Eldernet realise its potential and to ensure we continue to be the leading provider of information to seniors in NZ and all other stakeholders in the aged care industry.

Leanne Illingworth

Leanne Illingworth joined our Advisory Board in 2016. Bringing with her a wealth of knowledge from her time as Portfolio Manager for Older Person’s Health for the then Southland and Otago DHBs respectively, and then Southern DHB. Leanne offers a unique perspective on how Eldernet can support our clients.

Leanne, together with her husband also operates a number of business in hospitality and construction. She understands how businesses work and has a keen in interest in understanding how to get the most out of them. She can see the future for Eldernet is exciting.
Leanne is based in Queenstown and enjoys her quarterly trips to Christchurch to sit on the Eldernet board.